Opposition fails to curb Cadboro Bay bus shelter

A Saaanich woman has conceded defeat in her fight against plans for a bus shelter outside her house on Cadboro Bay Road, but continues to warn of its risks to the travelling public and residents.

“It’s a huge safety issue that will not go away,” said Margaret Vey.

Vey, who lives on Cadboro Bay Road, said she has accepted the advice of her lawyer, who told her legal action against the District of Saanich would be ineffective.

Facts on the ground are also working against Vey. Crews have been working on the shelter since early this week, and Vey said crews have told her that the shelter will be in place within the next 10 to 14 days.

The shelter enhances an existing bus stop outside Vey’s house.

Design drawings for the shelter show a bulge protruding into Cadboro Bay Road, and Vey believes this design to be unsafe.

“This short, unexpected change to the curb would become a serious safety hazard to cars, cyclists and buses, as well as my use of the driveway, which I use most days, often several times,” she said in a letter to Saanich council.

Vey stresses that she does not oppose the bus stop per se, but rather the shelter.

Vey, who has lived in her home for 60 years, said drivers frequently speed through the sharp corner near her home, and the addition of the shelter would further complicate traffic concerns.

By her own account, vehicles travelling through the area have lost control at her property three times, said Vey, who is recommending that the shelter move from its proposed location along her property to a recently established crosswalk across Cadboro Bay Road at Gyro Park some 50-plus metres away.

Saanich officials have consistently rejected Vey’s concerns. “Improving the stop fronting your property also gives us the opportunity to improve the existing sidewalk width to allow for safe accessible use to people of all [mobility levels],” said Sandra Liddell, engineering supervisor at the District of Saanich, in a letter to Vey. She said the new design could actually calm traffic.

Vey also expressed concerns with the process. Last week, she said Saanich had given her the “runaround” over her concerns after she asked to be heard at the next regular council meeting scheduled for Jan. 22.

A hand-delivered letter had denied Vey’s request, but left open the possibility of having some public forum to air her concerns.

“In regards to your request, your concern will not be included on the next [council] agenda,” said Angila Bains, manager of legislative services, citing the council procedure bylaw as explanation. “You are welcome to contact members of [council] or to attend a future Open Forum (held at the beginning of each council meeting).”